Great Places to See Fall Foliage in the US

Teton National Park is beautiful all-year round, but autumn colors add a special element of dazzle. Hotel Terra Jackson Hole puts you in easy reach of the hikes, sightseeing, and wildlife spotting that the wilds have to offer. The hotel’s public areas integrate the outdoorsy feel with elevated amenities from wood-panel décor to a rooftop whirlpool where you can take in the view. Stave off the fall chill and work up a sweat at the fitness center, then visit the spa for a treatment using eco-friendly products. When you’re refreshed, dig into the pasta at Il Villagio Osteria, the on-property Italian eatery. You can extend the fun with late check-out, when available, and browse the galleries and boutiques of downtown Jackson Hole.

When to visit for peak foliage: Early September to early October

Pastoral Manchester Village is a sight to behold come September and October, and Kimpton Taconic Hotel delivers quintessential New England vibes. The crisp air feels a little better when you can lounge in a four-poster bed or on a rocking chair, and when you can use your $100 credit to tuck into comfort food like shepherd’s pie at Copper Grouse. The boutiques of Main Street make for charming shopping, and the nearby Southern Vermont Arts Center is a must for aesthetes. Make this rural estate your jumping-off point for fly-fishing on the Battenkill, enjoying live music and a local brew, or hiking Mount Stratton. With any luck, you’ll get late check-out if available, giving you more time to take advantage of complimentary bike rentals and walking sticks to explore the rolling hills and rustling maple boughs.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Late September–Early October

There’s lots to do in the White Mountains and you may be able to get a head start on adventure thanks to 12 pm check-in, when available, at The Omni Mount Washington Resort. Start your adventure with a complimentary breakfast for two each day of your stay as a benefit through The Hotel Collection. Then, for a thrilling bird’s-eye perspective, join the resort’s Bretton Woods Canopy Tour, which takes you through the treetops on a series of ziplines, platforms, and sky bridges, all the while enjoying sweeping views of Mount Washington and the Presidential range. If you’re looking for a ground-level pastime, there’s no shortage of options, including golfing, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing. Plus, the resort itself has a year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub where you can soak away the seasonal chill.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Early-to-Mid October 

Hidden Pond Resort & Tree Spa, in the birch forests of Maine’s southern coast, adds a maritime element that makes the reds, yellows, and oranges of the birches around all the more delightful. There are guided forest therapy walks on the property as well as myriad surrounding hiking paths, plus the ocean is close enough to make beach bike rides and kayaking a regular activity. This property offers the additional benefit of daily breakfast for two, which you can enjoy at Earth, known for seasonal farm-to-fork food that might just be as photogenic as the changing leaves. And wind down with a massage or facial from a treehouse spa room. For more space and privacy, consider the cottages, bungalows, and lodges; cottages include two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, living rooms with gas fireplaces, screen porches, and private outdoor showers in select units.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Mid-October 

Aspen Meadows Resort sets guests up for a visually splendid stay indoors and out. Situated on a roomy 40-acre estate, the property takes heavy inspiration from the Bauhaus design movement, and even hosts a rotating slate of artistic exhibits and public programs at the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies. When you’re ready to leave your eminently stylish room in search of autumn colors, you’ll get to fuel up with complimentary breakfast for two at the laid-back Meadows Café. Take advantage of complimentary bike rental to get out on the town and observe the Rocky Mountains in full seasonal bloom. Don’t miss out on the amenities at the Resnick-Malek Health Center, including a hot tub, steam rooms, a heated saline lap pool, and gym equipment. The views look particularly good when enjoyed from an outdoor barrel sauna. 

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Mid-to-late September

Enjoy the best of nature and culture at The Foundry Hotel Asheville, Curio Collection by Hilton. The sleek-yet-homey property is in downtown Asheville, in easy reach of the local arts district and the rugged beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Talk to the on-site historian for a neighborhood tour or a walkthrough of the property’s namesake foundry. Take a day trip to the vast Biltmore Estate. Chow down on Appalachian favorites at Benne on Eagle, or use your $100 credit on a craft beer or two by the fireplace at The Workshop Lounge.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Mid-to-late October

Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.

A fall foliage excursion pairs excellently with the wine country luxury at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. Guests are greeted upon arrival with a bottle of Sonoma wine, and a different local winery visits every day to host a tasting in the lobby. In between samplings, you can venture into the autumn colors with a hike through the Mayacama Mountains, a round of golf at the on-property links, or a visit to a 400-acre wildlife preserve nearby. Recharge after outings and put that $100 property credit to good use at the sprawling Fairmont Spa, which counts among its many amenities a European bathhouse, geothermal-fed mineral pools, and a movement studio.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Late October to early November

This stretch where the Colorado River runs through Texas Hill Country is an ideal place to watch red, orange, and gold leaves falling into the water. Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort provides a stately escape from the wilds, with ranch-inspired decorative touches adding unique personality. Make your way around the property on horseback, kayak on the Colorado, or experience McKinney Roughs Nature Park via UTV. Take a trip on the zip-line, or make your own way to the top on a rock wall. Recover from the action at Lost Pines spa. Crown your trip by using your $100 property credit towards food at some of the property’s indulgent dining options, including seasonal, locally-sourced food at the Stories steakhouse, light bites at Old Buck’s Place, cocktails on Maude’s Terrace, and Southern fare at Heartwood House. 

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Mid-October to mid-November